1 Presented by: Dr. Ren Tinawi Dr. Greg Naterer August 6,
2008
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2 Plan of the presentation About NSERC Changes to GSC
Eligibility Preparing a Grant Application Peer review process 2007
Funding Statistics Final Advice
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3 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
NSERC www.nserc-crsng.gc.cawww.nserc-crsng.gc.ca Suzanne Fortier
President
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4 Total: $920 NSERC Budget 2007-08 (millions of dollars)
Excludes $37M increase from the 2007 Federal Budget.
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5 Total: $399 Discovery Programs Budget 2007-08 1. Includes
Canadian Light Source funding from NRC ($3M) and Budget 2004 ($6M).
Excludes $37M increase from the 2007 Federal Budget.. (millions of
dollars)
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6
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7 GSC Restructuring Restructuring of the Communications,
Computer and Components Engineering (GSC 334) and Electromagnetics
/ Electrical Systems Engineering (GSC 335) Grant Selection
Committees
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8 Grant Selection Committee (GSC) Structure Review Current
discipline-based GSC structure may have difficulties handling
inter-disciplinary and new areas of research To handle increasing
workload, GSCs are sub- dividing and thus becoming more
specialized, exacerbating the problem Is there a better way? NSERC
is reviewing the current system
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9
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10 Are You Eligible? Hold, or have a firm offer of, an academic
appointment at a Canadian institution (minimum three-year term
position) Position requires independent research and allows
supervision of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)
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11
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12 Discovery Grants Objectives: promoting and maintaining a
diversified base of high-quality research capability in natural
sciences and engineering in Canadian universities fostering
research excellence providing a stimulating environment for
research training (HQP) An essential grant to have!
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13 Discovery Grants Supports ongoing programs of research,
rather than projects Inherent flexibility in the research program
Success rate: approximately 70% Average grant: $31K per year
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14 Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form
180) For Discovery Grants (DG), and University Faculty Award (UFA)
applications Facilitates selection of external referees List
contributions (2002-08) to avoid conflicts Deadline: August 1 Can
have adverse consequences if not submitted
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15 A Complete Discovery Grant Application Includes: 1. An
Application for a Grant (Form 101) with supporting documentation 2.
A Personal Data Form (Form 100) for applicant with appropriate
appendices 3. Samples of research contributions (reprints,
pre-prints, thesis chapters, manuscripts, etc.) 4. Environmental
Assessment, if required
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16 Merit of the proposal FORM 101 YOUR GRANT PROPOSAL F100 (CV)
YOUR RESEARCH PROFILE Excellence of the Researcher Training of HQP
Need for funds Potential HQPPast HQP record Budget justification
Relationship to other sources of funds List of other sources of
funds
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17 Personal Data Form an essential component List all sources
of support (held or applied for) during the past four years
Describe 5 most significant research contributions List other
research contributions (2002-2008) in reverse chronological order (
journal papers, conferences, books, etc.) Emphasize quality not
just quantity Describe contributions to training of HQP (2002-2008)
Give other evidence of impact of work (awards, honours, membership
on scientific committees) Explain any delays in research activity
(maternity) FORM 100
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18 Discovery Grant: Application tips Please read the
instructions: Plug & Play concept on-line does not work! Write
the summary in plain language Provide a progress report (even for
first time applicant, a must for renewals) Position the research
within the field (1page bibliography) Articulate short and
long-term objectives of your research program Provide a detailed
and focused methodology (2-3 pages) Outline problems that you may
encounter and their possible solutions Describe plans for training
of HQP (co-supervision in some cases) Prepare a realistic budget
(look at statistics) First time applicants must seek guidance from
ORS and colleagues Discuss any relationship to other research
support Address previous GSC comments or external referee reports
(if applicable) FORM 101
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19 Other tips - Discovery Grants Use the 2008 Web version of
forms/guide Read all instructions VERY carefully Select the most
appropriate GSC for your proposal Find out who was on your GSC last
year (yearly committee renewal 1/3) Follow presentation standards
for print size and page limitations (this will irritate committee
members and could have negative impact) Send the required number of
papers or contributions Ensure completeness of application Read
other (successful) proposals, if you can Ask colleagues for
(negative) comments on your application First time applicant:
Research program is essential Applicants renewing: Productivity and
training of HQP is a must! + Research Program Allow several weeks
to write your proposal and the possibility of iterating several
times Proposals written 24h before the deadline are not appreciated
by GSC In summary: your innovative research ideas and your CV no
matter how outstanding they are, must be packaged in a neat and
clear way by respecting page limits, margins, font size, etc.
Poorly prepared proposal will definitely be rejected. Remember:
money is scarce and any excuse to reject or reduce funding will be
used by GSC. Good news: You do this once every five years! FORM
101
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20 You dont get rich working for NSERC!! Committee members are
all volunteers. You will not believe your ears!! I cant understand
how University X hired professor Y, applicant cant even read the
instructions! Applicant is cheating: the font size is too small, it
aggravates my eyes! Research proposal is too widespread, no focus!
All the six papers in the CV are variations on the same theme:
productivity is not impressive! Publications: journals, conferences
and book chapters are all mixed up and are not listed in the
required order! No mention or desire of HQP training: Applicant
wants to attend conferences only! Applicant has other funds for the
same research: double dipping! No time: it is evident this
application was written 12 hours before the deadline! Applicant
will have no time to conduct the proposed research! No funding! The
experimental program makes no sense at all: matchsticks inside a
bucket of sand in a laboratory are not representative of real pile
foundations! Etc.
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21
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22 Research tools and instruments (RTI) Budget: $375M
Objectives: To foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and
training capability of university researchers by supporting the
purchase of research equipment and installations. Categories: RTI
Category 1: $7,001 to $150,000; RTI Category 2: $150,001 to
$325,000; (Moratorium) RTI Category 3: more than $325,000
(Moratorium). For categories 2 and 3, NSERC funding must be
complemented from other sources such that NSERC requirement
$150,000. Advice: Apply for RTI at the same time as your DG Involve
other Faculty members, if possible Try to obtain partial
institutional or other support Overall success rate is about 50%
with an average grant of $49,000 It is not advisable to apply for
$149,900 RTI Grant
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23 Research Tools and Instruments Deadline date October 25
Ongoing moratorium on Categories 2 and 3 $150,000 or less available
from NSERC Must hold or have submitted an NSERC research grant (not
necessarily a Discovery Grant) A Grant Selection Committees RTI
competition budget is based on the total amount applied for
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24 Research Tools and Instruments Category 1 What research will
be performed with equipment? Justify each item Explain need and
urgency of overall request Suitability of proposed equipment for
research program Indicate impact on training Give alternate
configurations and prices FORM 100RTI FORM 101 &
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25 How your application is evaluated by the Grant Selection
Committee
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26 Life Cycle of a DG Application August 1 to mid-September
Form 180 - Assignment of GSC and Referees November 1 Submission of
Grant Application by ORS November 25 Chairs Meeting Confirmation of
GSC November Mail-out DG to External Referees Mid-December Mail-out
to GSC Members February Grants Competition March April Announcement
of Results
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27 Outline of evaluation The Grant Selection Committee How is
your application evaluated Discovery Grants (DG) Research Tools and
Instruments Grants (RTI)
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28 Levels of Review Generally, at least eight people will read
your proposal: One primary reviewer on GSC One secondary reviewer
on GSC Three readers One external reviewer (at least) Total number
depends on your GSC
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29 FORM 100 (CV) & FORM 101 FORM 101 Selection Criteria for
DG Merit of the proposal Excellence of the researcher Training of
highly qualified personnel (HQP) Need for funds
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30 During February Competition Chair P.O. 1 st Reviewer Reader
2 nd Reviewer 32,000$ 30,000$ 25,000$ 23,000$ 20,000$ 0 Conflict
?
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31 Criterion1 - Excellence of Researcher Knowledge, expertise
and experience Contribution to research Importance of contributions
Complementarity of expertise and synergy for group
applications
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32 Criterion 2 - Merit of the Proposal Originality and
innovation Significance and expected contribution to research
Clarity and scope of objectives Clarity and appropriateness of
methodology Feasibility of program
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33 Criterion 3 - Training of HQP Quality and extent of past and
potential contributions Appropriateness of proposed work for
training Training in collaborative or interdisciplinary
environment
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34 NameType of HQP Training Years Supervised or Co-supervised
Title of Project or Thesis Present Position Consent obtained
Imadoc, Marie Masters (completed) Supervised 2003-2005 Isotope
geochemistry in petroleum engineering V-P (research), Earth
Analytics Inc., Calgary, AB Consent not obtained (name withheld)
Masters (completed) Supervised 2003-2005 Isotope geochemistry
Research executive in petroleum industry Western Canada Reporting
HQP
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35
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36 2007 Discovery Grants Results: All Disciplines Disciplines
First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No App. Success (%) Avg.
Grant ($) No App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) Life
Sciences31550.827,27081466.634,625 Physical
Sciences18958.726,66457979.839,505 Math,
Stats8469.414,35621876.118,570 Computer
Science5772.318,76429781.825,311
Engineering22260.421,07774073.926,095 Subatomic
Physics1291.742,5912185.748,361
Interdisciplinary2171.420,2672965.527,618 Total for all
GSCs90058.923,615269274.030,993
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37 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Life Sciences Grant Selection
Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No. App.
Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($)
(1011) Integrative Animal Biology5846.628,77317164.935,222 (32)
Cell Biology8048.830,30812755.138,724 (33) Molecular & Dev.
Genetics4548.931,17010351.535,214 (03) Plant Biology & Food
Sci.2356.533,49912373.241,005 (18) Evolution &
Ecology5152.922,33416180.730,851 (12) Psychology: Brain, Behaviour
and Cognitive Science 5855.221,94112968.229,303 Total for Life
Sciences31550.827,27081466.634,625
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38 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Physical Sciences Grant
Selection Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants
No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant
($) (08) Solid Earth Sciences2369.922,3337682.933,980 (09)
Environmental Earth Sci.5655.420,4719979.828,998 (24) Inorganic
& Organic Chem.3551.429,63911671.650,512 (26) Analytical &
Physical Chem.3053.333,87510883.347,372 (17) Space &
Astronomy1675.025,5785576.437,009 (28) Condensed Matter
Physics1457.139,7548085.038,069 (29) General
Physics1566.726,7343982.131,971 Total for Physical
Sciences19258.726,66457379.839,505
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39 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Math, Stats and CIS Grant
Selection Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants
No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant
($) (336) Pure & Applied Math. A2676.913,1007982.317,915 (337)
Pure & Applied Math. B3060.015,6676175.419,723 (14) Statistical
Sciences2871.414,3007870.518,073 (330) Computing & Info. Sci.
A3470.618,29213680.923,855 (331) Computing & Info. Sci.
B2373.919,23516182.626,767 Total for Math, Stats &
CIS14170.216,12151579.422,616
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40 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Engineering Grant Selection
Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No. App.
Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Succes s (%) Avg. Grant ($)
(334) Comm., Comp. & Components Eng. 3268.819,27311790.623,133
(335) Electro. & Elect. Sys. Eng. 3167.722,8979575.830,872 (20)
Industrial Engineering2650.017,0007157.724,842 (04) Chem. &
Metallurgical Eng.3969.225,68313381.228,202 (06) Civil
Engineering3240.618,84615463.625,998 (1053) Mechanical Eng. -
A3762.220,00010169.324,140 (1054) Mechanical Eng. -
B2560.020,0006975.424,942 Total for
Engineering22260.421,00774073.926,095
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41 2007 Research Tools and Instruments (RTI-1) All RTIRTI for
FTAs DisciplinesNo. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($k) No App.
Success Rate (%) Life Sciences45656.411,7098747.1 Physical
Sciences48748.317,3598156.8 Math, Stats1092.93891100.0 Computer
Science5450.41,552950.0 Engineering51244.717,8277140.8
Interdisciplinary1353.8373333.3 Total for all
GSCs153249.949,21025248.4
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42 2007 RTI-1 Results: Life Sciences Grant Selection Committee
(GSC) ALL RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($) No.
App. Success Rate (%) (1011) Integrative Animal
Biology11654.33,132,6531926.3 (32) Cell
Biology5855.21,644,0191637.5 (33) Molecular & Dev.
Genetics6361.91,763,1101070.0 (03) Plant Biology & Food
Sci.8661.62,210,5891376.9 (18) Evolution &
Ecology9250.01,786,6301758.8 (12) Psychology: Brain, Behaviour and
Cognitive Sci. 4158.51,171,9781225.0 Total for Life
Sciences45656.411,708,9798747.1
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43 2007 RTI-1 Results: Physical Sciences Grant Selection
Committee (GSC) All RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%)
Funding ($) No. App. Success Rate (%) (08) Solid Earth
Sciences4055.01,328,966875.0 (09) Environmental Earth
Sciences9047.82,444,3932045.0 (24) Inorganic & Organic
Chem.13046.94,731,9952564.0 (26) Analytical & Physical
Chem.11249.14,531,2371650.0 (17) Space &
Astronomy650.072,0001100 (28) Condensed Matter
Physics7145.12,554,144560.0 (29) General
Physics3850.01,696,138650.0 Total for Physical
Sciences48748.317,358,8738156.8
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44 2007 RTI-1 Results: Math, Stats and CIS Grant Selection
Committee (GSC) All RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%)
Funding ($) No. App. Success Rate (%) (336) Pure & Applied Math
A0NA00 (337) Pure & Applied Math B 3100.070,9441100.0 (14)
Statistical Sciences785.7318,007000.0 (330) Computing & Info
Sci. A 2556.0894,940633.3 (331) Computing & Info Sci. B
2944.8657,264366.7 Total for Math, Stats &
CIS6456.31,941,1551050.0
46 Why these statistics? No grant application is guaranteed
funding Demand ($ of applicants) is > supply (available $)
Committees can not exceed their allocated budgets Attitude of a GSC
is to fund excellent applications only: a magnifying glass is used
to spot the most minute reason, as an excuse, not to fund some
applicants
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47
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48 Final Advice Use the 2008 Web version of the forms and
Guide. Read all instructions carefully and follow presentation
standards. Ensure completeness of application. Remember that more
than one audience reads your application. Ask colleagues for
comments on your application. Read other successful proposals, if
possible. Read the Peer Review Manual (on the web) Allow enough
time for iterations
